1 dead, 92 fall ill from ‘food poisoning’ at Hyderabad mental health facility

IN the backwash of o'er 90 patients falling badly due to suspected solid food toxic condition at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda, Hyderabad, the Telangana government has taken swift action and has terminated the diet contract.On Tuesday morning one patient died, and 92 others were affected due to suspected food poisoining. Of these 18 were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for better care, according to the Superintendent of IMH.The Superintendent of IMH has issued an order terminating the services of diet contractor G Jaipal Reddy, citing "gross negligence" and a "serious breach of contract." The incident occurred on June 2 when patients consumed contaminated food, leading to acute gastroenteritis cases, authorities said.Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty reported an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting at the Mental Health Institute, with 15 cases initially reported on Tuesday morning. One patient, Karan, admitted for mental health issues, collapsed and passed away despite CPR efforts. By evening, 60-70 additional patients reported similar symptoms, and all are under observation and receiving treatment.Durishetty said on Wednesday, "Yesterday, early morning, 15 cases of diarrhea and vomiting were reported in the mental health institute. Our health department provided treatment to those patients. Another patient, named Karan, was admitted for mental issues, and our doctors observed him falling down. They administered CPR, but unfortunately, he didn't respond and was shifted to the hospital, where he lost his life. We have put all the patients under observation. By evening, we received 60-70 more patients reporting vomiting and diarrhea, and we are providing treatment to them."Telangana Medical and Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha visited victims who fell ill at the Erragadda Mental Health Centre in Hyderabad, expressing grief over the incident.In a post on X, the minister announced that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. He directed officials to terminate the hospital's diet contractor and ensure better treatment for the victims. The minister confirmed that the health condition of all affected individuals is stable.The Minister's X post stated," State Medical and Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha visited the victims who fell ill at the Erragadda Mental Health Centre in Hyderabad. The minister expressed grief over the incident. The minister revealed that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. The minister instructed the officials to remove the hospital diet contractor. He said that the victims are being provided with better treatment. He said that the health condition of all those who fell ill are stable."